House Members also heard from representatives of the Department of Defense, who said the provision would impose severe implementation burdens on federal agencies.

The proposal would total $339 billion over six years, compared to the Administration’s request of $556 billion and the House’s likely figure of around $220 billion. However, the Senators are considering a shorter-term reauthorization due to the challenges of raising additional revenue to support current funding levels.

ACEC seeks both the largest possible funding level and a long-term federal commitment to provide stability and predictability for state transportation program implementation.

Entitled Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21), the proposal consolidates numerous programs, creates a new freight initiative, expands TIFIA financing, and expedites project delivery through changes to environmental and other regulatory reviews. Click here for more information.

ACEC joined a coalition of business associations to oppose the Administration’s draft order, asserting that political affiliation should not impact government contracting decisions. To see a copy of a letter sent by ACEC and the coalition to President Obama, click here.

The amendment, offered by Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK) to the $690 billion Defense Department authorization bill for FY12, passed by a vote of 261-163. The legislation now goes to the Senate.

McKinley is an engineering firm owner in West Virginia.

“Face-to-face meetings like these are critical to moving our agenda on Capitol Hill,” said ACEC President Dave Raymond.

ACEC asks all Member Firms to participate in the Analytical/FMI 2011 A/E Executive Compensation Survey. Your firm’s participation will improve industry compensation data, provide State DOTs with accurate information and give you the tools to benchmark executive compensation and be FAR compliant.

To participate in the survey, click here. The survey should be completed by your Human Resources Director or Comptroller. Submission deadline is June 24, 2011.

Have you been an expert witness? Is there a possibility you might serve as an expert witness—for your own firm or a client? Are people in your firm qualified as expert witnesses?

Applying Expertise as an Engineering Expert Witness, June 23-24, San Diego, provides the inside knowledge and the courtroom know-how you need to confidently serve in this unique and demanding role. Gain recognition as an expert and take the first step in earning the EXW (SM) designation offered by ACEC.

Click here for agenda and faculty details, and to register.

Employee decisions are among the most important a firm can make, yet the hiring and firing processes are fraught with legal risk because of myriad state and federal laws restricting what employers can and cannot do.

Julia Judish, counsel with the law firm Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman and a specialist in employment law, presents an important online seminar, Best Practices and Limiting Risk in Hiring and Termination Decisions: Lessons from the Legal Front Lines. Judish will discuss ways to implement hiring and termination practices to best protect your firm and minimize legal risk, and to recognize and avoid common and costly pitfalls.

Click here for details and to register.

Does your firm provide public clients with engineering services that include cost and/or cash flow projections? If the answer is yes, your firm might be required to register as a "municipal advisor" according to new Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rules.

Find out how the SEC rules apply to your firm in this timely online seminar, Is Your Firm A “Municipal Advisor”? Jim Lowe, an attorney with AECOM, will provide critical information on the requirements for the registration of “municipal advisors,” and the roles of the SEC and the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board.

Click here to register.

Green Buildings and Preparing for the LEED Green Associate exam is a first step towards the Green Building Certification Institute’s (GBCI) LEED Green Associate professional credential.

In partnership with the U.S. Green Building Council, ACEC again offers this unique on-demand online course on the sustainable building concepts that are fundamental to all LEED Rating Systems.

The 32-hour course is “live” online 24/7 beginning June 6, 2011, and is accessible to registrants at their convenience through July 31, 2011. ACEC members may register for the course at a special discount price. For complete details on course content and to register, click here.